Like when Bin Men refer to themselves as Refuse Collectors
or media students call themselves freelancers, the Japanese toilet provides a
top of the range function for a job which is pretty dull and thankless.
A rather thorough control panel, but what does it mean? |
If you’ve had the pleasure to visit Japan you may
have noticed their technology seems fair in advance to our own, similarly, you
may have noticed that the toilets display a range of functions which could be
deemed slightly pretentious.
We are all aware of what the standard procedure for a trip
to the toilet in the UK
entails and it’s pretty simple, but on exploring the delights that Japan
has to offer, it seems rather prehistoric in comparison.
On encountering one of these technological marvels, after
performing the ‘simple bit’ you are then left with a control panel of options,
with each button displaying an undecipherable symbol.
With, your most sensitive areas at stake it may seem rather
daunting which to press first; single square? Line of dots? Two lines of dots?
Each symbol evoking a mass of confusion, you settle for one at random and are
treated to a jet of water followed by a blow dry!
Nice? That technology maybe slightly shocking at first but
at least it serves a purpose and it’s not too far from the common bidet; bar
the fact a bidet doesn’t take you by surprise. Let’s move on to some more interesting
technological advances in Japanese toilet tech.
The Otohime, or ‘Sound Princess’ is a technology that could
only be pioneered by the Japanese. Ever been in a situation where, under no
circumstances can passers by hear your toilet activity? Whether a poor diet or
painful exit is to blame, Japanese ladies have to endure this rather
embarrassing feat day in day out.
The Sound Princess: activated by movement or frantic waving |
The Sound Princess provides a rather unconvincing flushing
sound to mask the fact that you’re producing some of the most humiliating
sounds the human body is capable of; saving water from extensive flushing and
saving your integrity.
Moreover, in the words of George Orwell, ‘Big Brother is
watching you’ and the next piece of technology we discovered could be deemed
indecently ‘probing’. Through innocent eyes, the idea of a toilet examining
your outgoings for blood pressure, body fat and sugar levels, and sending them
straight to your doctor, is an in genius invention which will allow us all to
live long a bountiful lives.
On the other hand, if the doctor can gain your information,
then potentially the authorities can, and nothing could be worse then being
arrested for a crime you didn’t poo!
So next time you look down at that ever confusing control
panel after devouring six trays of sushi and a pint of Saki, remember what may
lurk beneath, and just stick with the bidet.
www.bathroomcity.co.uk
www.bathroomcity.co.uk